This unit will provide an introduction to the concepts of database management. This will include planning, designing, using and implementing a data model using an enterprise-scale relational database system. Methods and techniques will also be presented to populate, retrieve, update and implement integrity features on data in the implemented database system.
Objectives
At the completion of this unit you will have knowledge and understanding of:
the major objectives of database technology;
the relational model for databases and competing models;
the phases of the database development life cycle and their correspondence to the phases of the system development lifecycle;
the techniques and tools to design and implement a database suitable for an information system;
a database retrieval and manipulation language;
methods that can be put in place to permit efficient operation of a database;
the relationship of database technology to data warehousing and data mining;
the role of a database administrator;
and you will have developed attitudes that enable you to:
Appreciate the privacy issues relating to storage of data in a database.
Practice ethical behaviour when developing, implementing and using a database.
GCO2815 is a core unit in the Bachelor of Computing degree.
You may not study this unit and FIT1004, BUS3112, CPE2005, CSE2132, CSE2138, CSE2316, CSE3180, CSE3316, IMS1907, MMS2801 in your degree.
Texts and software
Required text(s)
Rob, P. and Coronel, C., Database Systems 7th Edn., Thomson Course Technology, 2006
Textbook availability
Text books are available from the Monash University Book Shops. Availability from other suppliers cannot be assured. The Bookshop orders texts in specifically for this unit. You are advised to purchase your text book early.
Software requirements
The software required will be available in the labs or a CD can be borrowed from your lecturer to install on your computer. Contact your campus lecturer for further details.
Hardware requirements
Students studying off-campus are required to have the minimum system configuration specified by the Faculty as a condition of accepting admission, and regular Internet access. On-campus students, and those studying at supported study locations may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook.
Recommended reading
Hoffer, J.A., Prescott, M.B. and McFadden, F.R., Modern Database Management 8th Edn., Pearson Prentice Hall, 2006
Library access
You may need to access the Monash library either personally to be able to satisfactorily complete the subject. Be sure to obtain a copy of the Library Guide, and if necessary, the instructions for remote access from the library website.
Study resources
Study resources for GCO2815 are:
Students can download study guides, lecture notes, tutorial exercises and assignment details from the GCO2815 web site on MUSO.
The timetable for on-campus classes for this unit can be viewed in Allocate+
Assessment
Assessment weighting
Assessment for the unit consists of 2 assignments with a weighting of 40% and an examination with a weighting of 60%. Read this section VERY carefully.
Assessment Policy
To pass this unit you must:
obtain an overall unit result of at least 50%, and
achieve no less than 40% of the marks available for practical work AND no less than 40% of the marks available in the examination.
Your score for the unit will be calculated by:
Assignment result + Exam result = Final Unit Score
where assignment result and exam result are marks out of 40 and 60 respectively.
Assessment Requirements
Assessment
Due Date
Weighting
Assignment 1
20th April 2007
20%
Assignment 2
25th May 2007
20 %
The exam is 3 hours long and is closed book.
Exam period (S1/07) starts on 07/06/07
60 %
Assignment specifications will be made available from the GCO2815 Unit website on MUSO.
Assignment Submission
Refer to your campus web site for details
Extensions and late submissions
Late submission of assignments
Assignments received after the due date will be subject to a penalty of 5% per day. Assignments received later than one week (seven days) after the due date will not normally be accepted. In some cases, this period may be shorter if there is a need to release sample solutions.
The only exception to this is in the case of illness or other serious cause. In any such cases, proper third party documentation (e.g. a doctor's certificate) will have to be supplied.
This policy is strict because comments or guidance will be given on assignments as they are returned, and sample solutions may also be published and distributed, after assignment marking or with the returned assignment.
Extensions
It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are seldom regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions.
Requests for extensions must be made by email to the unit lecturer at least two days before the due date. You will be asked to forward original medical certificates in cases of illness, and may be asked to provide other forms of documentation where necessary. A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.
Grading of assessment
Assignments, and the unit, will be marked and allocated a grade according to the following scale:
Grade
Percentage/description
HD High Distinction -
very high levels of achievement, demonstrated knowledge and understanding, skills in application and high standards of work encompassing all aspects of the tasks.
In the 80+% range of marks for the assignment.
D Distinction -
high levels of achievement, but not of the same standards. May have a weakness in one particular aspect, or overall standards may not be quite as high.
In the 70-79% range.
C Credit -
sound pass displaying good knowledge or application skills, but some weaknesses in the quality, range or demonstration of understanding.
In the 60-69% range.
P Pass
acceptable standard, showing an adequate basic knowledge, understanding or skills, but with definite limitations on the extent of such understanding or application. Some parts may be incomplete.
In the 50-59% range.
N Not satisfactory
failure to meet the basic requirements of the assessment.
Below 50%.
Assignment return
We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within two weeks after assignment receipt.
Feedback
Feedback to you
You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This feedback may be provided through your participation in tutorials and class discussions, as well as through your assignment submissions. It may come in the form of individual advice, marks and comments, or it may be provided as comment or reflection targeted at the group. It may be provided through personal interactions, such as interviews and on-line forums, or through other mechanisms such as on-line self-tests and publication of grade distributions.
Feedback from you
You will be asked to provide feedback to the Faculty through a Unit Evaluation survey at the end of the semester. You may also be asked to complete surveys to help teaching staff improve the unit and unit delivery. Your input to such surveys is very important to the faculty and the teaching staff in maintaining relevant and high quality learning experiences for our students.
And if you are having problems
It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem with your study. The semester is short, so we can help you best if you let us know as soon as problems arise. Regardless of whether the problem is related directly to your progress in the unit, if it is likely to interfere with your progress you should discuss it with your lecturer or a Community Service counsellor as soon as possible.
Unit improvements
Student feedback from the 2007 Unit Evaluation survey is important in helping us to improve the unit. Please be sure to complete the survey at the end of the semester.
Plagiarism and cheating
Plagiarism and cheating are regarded as very serious offences. In cases where cheating has been confirmed, students have been severely penalised, from losing all marks for an assignment, to facing disciplinary action at the Faculty level. While we would wish that all our students adhere to sound ethical conduct and honesty, I will ask you to acquaint yourself with Student Rights and Responsibilities and the Faculty regulations that apply to students detected cheating as these will be applied in all detected cases.
In this University, cheating means seeking to obtain an unfair advantage in any examination or any other written or practical work to be submitted or completed by a student for assessment. It includes the use, or attempted use, of any means to gain an unfair advantage for any assessable work in the unit, where the means is contrary to the instructions for such work.
When you submit an individual assessment item, such as a program, a report, an essay, assignment or other piece of work, under your name you are understood to be stating that this is your own work. If a submission is identical with, or similar to, someone else's work, an assumption of cheating may arise. If you are planning on working with another student, it is acceptable to undertake research together, and discuss problems, but it is not acceptable to jointly develop or share solutions unless this is specified by your lecturer.
Intentionally providing students with your solutions to assignments is classified as "assisting to cheat" and students who do this may be subject to disciplinary action. You should take reasonable care that your solution is not accidentally or deliberately obtained by other students. For example, do not leave copies of your work in progress on the hard drives of shared computers, and do not show your work to other students. If you believe this may have happened, please be sure to contact your lecturer as soon as possible.
Cheating also includes taking into an examination any material contrary to the regulations, including any bilingual dictionary, whether or not with the intention of using it to obtain an advantage.
Plagiarism involves the false representation of another person's ideas, or findings, as your own by either copying material or paraphrasing without citing sources. It is both professional and ethical to reference clearly the ideas and information that you have used from another writer. If the source is not identified, then you have plagiarised work of the other author. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that is insulting to the reader and grossly unfair to your student colleagues.
Communication
Communication methods
Contact your campus lecturer for preferred communication method.
Notices
Notices related to the unit during the semester will be published as MUSO Announcements and in the Notices Discussion Group in MUSO. Check this regularly. Failure to read notices or announcements is not regarded as grounds for special consideration.
Consultation Times
Information about consultation times for you campus will be provided during the first class and will be posted to MUSO.
If direct communication with your unit adviser/lecturer or tutor outside of consultation periods is needed you may contact the lecturer and/or tutors at:
Mr Thomas O'Daniel
All email communication to you from your lecturer will occur through your Monash student email address. Please ensure that you read it regularly, or forward your email to your main address. Also check that your contact information registered with the University is up to date in My.Monash.
